Health text simplification: An annotated corpus for digestive cancer education and novel strategies for reinforcement learning.

OBJECTIVE: The reading level of health educational materials significantly influences the understandability and accessibility of the information, particularly for minoritized populations. Many patient educational resources surpass widely accepted standards for reading level and complexity. There is a critical need for high-performing text simplification models for health information to enhance dissemination and literacy. This need is particularly acute in cancer education, where effective prevention and screening education can substantially reduce morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We introduce Simplified Digestive Cancer (SimpleDC), a parallel corpus of cancer education materials tailored for health text simplification research, comprising educational content from the American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute. The corpus includes 31 web pages with the corresponding manually simplified versions. It consists of 1183 annotated sentence pairs (361 train, 294 development, and 528 test). Utilizing SimpleDC and the existing Med-EASi corpus, we explore Large Language Model (LLM)-based simplification methods, including fine-tuning, reinforcement learning (RL), reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF), domain adaptation, and prompt-based approaches. Our experimentation encompasses Llama 2, Llama 3, and GPT-4. We introduce a novel RLHF reward function featuring a lightweight model adept at distinguishing between original and simplified texts when enables training on unlabeled data. RESULTS: Fine-tuned Llama models demonstrated high performance across various metrics. Our RLHF reward function outperformed existing RL text simplification reward functions. The results underscore that RL/RLHF can achieve performance comparable to fine-tuning and improve the performance of fine-tuned models. Additionally, these methods effectively adapt out-of-domain text simplification models to a target domain. The best-performing RL-enhanced Llama models outperformed GPT-4 in both automatic metrics and manual evaluation by subject matter experts. CONCLUSION: The newly developed SimpleDC corpus will serve as a valuable asset to the research community, particularly in patient education simplification. The RL/RLHF methodologies presented herein enable effective training of simplification models on unlabeled text and the utilization of out-of-domain simplification corpora.

An Assessment of the Acceptability of Cervical Cancer Education Intervention Materials Among Healthcare Providers in Ghana.

Cervical cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana. Previous studies have identified lack of awareness, lack of perceived susceptibility, and stigmatizing beliefs as significant sociocultural barriers to cervical cancer screening among Ghanaian women. The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability of evidence and theory-based, culturally relevant cervical cancer education intervention materials among Ghanaian healthcare providers. Central-location intercept questionnaires were completed by providers (n = 60) in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Providers reviewed a poster, an audio message, and a brief educational video. The variables assessed included the reaction to the materials, the ability of the materials to attract the attention of the intended audience, the ability of the materials to communicate the main point of the cancer education message, and the reaction to cultural characteristics of the materials. The mean age of the providers (n = 60) was 30.6 years, and the majority (70.8%) were females. Most of the providers had a positive general reaction to the poster, audio message, and video. The majority found the materials to be motivating. Most of the providers found the information in the materials to be attention-getting, interesting, useful, direct/to the point, and related to someone like them. Very few providers (5%) indicated that they were confused by the images or messages used in the materials. The culturally relevant cervical cancer education materials were acceptable to Ghanaian healthcare providers. These materials may be effective in shared decision-making for cervical cancer screening.

The College of American Pathologists Foundation's See, Test & Treat Program®: an Evaluation of a One-Day Cancer Screening Program Implemented in Mississippi.

Women in Mississippi experience significant barriers to healthcare that results in high incidence rates of late-stage breast, cervical, and oropharyngeal cancer. We implemented See, Test, & Treat, a cancer screening and education program, that was aimed at increasing access to cancer screening for underserved women in the Jackson Metropolitan Area. During the event, 103 women between the ages of 21 and 69 years old received breast, cervical, and/or oral cancer screenings. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to evaluate the effect of the program on the participants' cancer screening knowledge, self-efficacy to obtain medical check-ups, and intentions to engage in health-enhancing behaviors. Of the 57 women who received a mammogram, 18 had abnormal results that required follow-up care. None of the women who received a Pap test had abnormal results, but 8 women were diagnosed with trichomoniasis. One woman was diagnosed with stage 4 oral cancer. The evaluation data indicated that participants found that free cancer screenings and receipt of results on the same day were primary benefits of the program.

Making Breast Screening Convenient: a Community-Based Breast Screening Event During a Historically Black University's Homecoming Festivities.

A breast screening event was conducted during the homecoming festivities of a historically Black university located in a rural county in Mississippi. Two healthcare providers performed clinical breast exams for 26 African American women during the event. This was a prime opportunity to make breast screening accessible for non-elderly African American women.

Awareness and Beliefs About Cervical Cancer, the HPV Vaccine, and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Ghanaian Women with Diverse Education Levels.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana. Cost-effective tools for the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, such as the Pap test, the HPV DNA test, and the HPV vaccine, are available in hospitals and clinics throughout Ghana. However, participation in cervical cancer prevention behaviors is low among Ghanaian women. Our objective was to determine if there were significant differences in cervical cancer awareness and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer between Ghanaian women of different education levels. We surveyed 288 Ghanaian women who were at least 18 years old. Data on the participants' demographic characteristics, awareness of cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and the HPV vaccine, beliefs about cervical cancer screening, and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer was collected. Chi-square tests for independence and Fisher's exact test of independence were preformed to determine if education level was associated with those factors. Participation in cervical cancer screening and uptake of the HPV vaccine was significantly lower among women with less than a senior high school education. Awareness about cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and the HPV vaccine was lower among women with less education. Women with lower levels of education were more likely to agree with the negative statements about cervical cancer screening and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer education interventions that are tailored for Ghanaian women with different educational levels are needed to increase awareness of and participation in cervical cancer prevention strategies.

A qualitative study of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening awareness among nurses in Ghana.

Despite the availability of cervical cancer screening tools, including those that are appropriate for low resource settings, the rates of preventive cervical cancer screening remain extremely low among women in LMICS. Nurse-led education interventions have been proven to be effective at increasing participation in healthcare recommendations. However, there is a need to determine nurses' knowledge of cervical cancer and cervical cancer prevention in order to develop effective health education interventions. Our goal was to assess Ghanaian nurses' knowledge of cervical cancer and cervical cancer prevention. Interviews and small focus groups were conducted with 42 nurses at two hospitals in Ghana. Awareness of cervical cancer was very high among the nurses. However, the majority of the participants held negative perceptions about cervical cancer and lacked knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and prevention. The results can be used to inform the development of culturally-relevant cervical cancer education interventions targeted towards women and healthcare providers in LMICs.

A qualitative assessment of the social cultural factors that influence cervical cancer screening behaviors and the health communication preferences of women in Kumasi, Ghana.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana. Despite the availability of cervical cancer screening in healthcare facilities throughout the country, less than 4 % of Ghanaian women seek preventive cervical cancer screenings regularly. There is a lack of culturally relevant cervical cancer education material available in Ghana. The aims of this study were to assess the social cultural factors that influence cervical cancer screening behaviors and the health communication preferences of Ghanaian women. A focus group guide based on the constructs of the PEN-3 model was used to conduct six focus groups that were stratified by educational attainment. Thirty-four women participated in the study. The qualitative data revealed that most participants were not aware of cervical cancer or cervical cancer screening. However, many of the participants were willing to seek screening if they knew more about it. The most common sources of health information were television, radio, friends, and family. And the participants preferred inspirational cervical-cancer-screening messages that would be delivered by a doctor and a cancer survivor.

Social and Structural Determinants of Health and Social Injustices Contributing to Obesity Disparities.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To analyze how social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact the risk of obesity, its treatment and treatment outcomes, and to explore the implications for prevention and future treatment interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Racial and ethnic minorities, such as non-Hispanic Black adults and Hispanic adults, and adults with a low socioeconomic status have a greater risk of obesity than non-Hispanic white adults and adults with a high socioeconomic status. The underlying causes of obesity disparities include obesogenic neighborhood environments, inequities in access to obesity treatment, and lack of access to affordable nutrient-dense foods. Experts have called for interventions that address the social and structural determinants of obesity disparities. Population-based interventions that focus on improving neighborhood conditions, discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, expanding access to obesity treatment, and ensuring equitable access to fruits and vegetables have been proven to be effective. There is a growing body of evidence that shows the relationship between social and structural determinants of health and injustice on disparities in obesity among racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with a low SES. Population-based, equity-focused interventions that address the underlying causes of obesity disparities are needed to reduce obesity disparities and improve the health outcomes of minoritized and marginalized groups.

Ea$ing into the USA: study protocol for adapting the Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E) intervention for US-based, forcibly based populations.

INTRODUCTION: Immigrant and forcibly displaced women and girls are disproportionately impacted by the harmful health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the USA. Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E), a women's protection and empowerment intervention, has shown promising reductions in IPV and gender inequities among forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) in low-income and middle-income countries. However, research on the integration of gender equity interventions into economic empowerment programming for FDPs within the USA is lacking. Additionally, there is growing interest in integrating gender equity programmes among US-based refugee resettlement organisations, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC). We describe our study protocol for examining the feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of EA$E for use with US-based FDPs, and recommendations for adaptation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a convergent parallel study to guide the adaptation of EA$E for use with US-based FDPs. Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) will be used for the adaptation research. Quantitative data will consist of brief surveys, and qualitative data will consist of focus group discussions (FGDs). Our research will be guided by the 'administration' phase of the ADAPT-ITT framework, which entails pretesting the intervention with the new target audience and implementation context to examine acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility to receive feedback to inform modifications of the original intervention. This is done via theatre testing, an innovative approach to pretesting that allows the new target audience to experience the intervention and provide feedback. We will conduct FGDs with IRC staff (n=4, total of 24 participants) and refugee clients (n=8, total of 48 participants, women and men, French and English speaking). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received approval from the George Mason University Human Subjects Committee (#1686712-7) and IRC (via reliance agreement). Results will be made available to refugee resettlement organisations, policymakers, funders and other researchers. This study has been registered in Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SZDVY).

Development of the Nutrition4Kids website.

According to the 2009 National Vital Statistics Report, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers have determined that consuming a diet low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a common risk factor associated with the risk of developing several types of cancer including stomach, colorectal, breast, and pancreatic. Currently, there are few websites devoted to increasing students' knowledge about the role of a healthy diet in cancer prevention. The Nutrition4Kids website is a unique health education tool that targets youth aged 10 to 14 years. The website content and design were based on the Health Belief Model, the Information-Motivation and Behavioral Skills Model, and the principles of health literacy. The information included on the website was based on recommendations from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund. The website contains nutrition information, recipes that emphasize the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and interactive games. The primary objectives of the Nutrition4Kids website are to 1) increase students' knowledge of how poor dietary habits can affect their health, 2) increase students' knowledge of healthy dietary habits that can reduce their risk for cancer, 3) increase students' ability to prepare healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks, 4) increase students' ability to discuss healthy eating with their family and friends, and 5) increase students' knowledge of nutrients that have healthful benefits.

Revitalizing HIV Prevention Programs: Recommendations From Those Most Impacted by HIV in the Deep South.

PURPOSE: The incidence of new HIV infections is disproportionately high among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in Mississippi. Community-based organizations received funding through the ACCELERATE! initiative to implement interventions aimed at increasing BMSM's access to HIV prevention, treatment and care interventions. APPROACH: We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of the ACCELERATE! initiative to assess its impact. We also explored factors that act as barriers to and facilitators of BMSM's engagement in HIV prevention interventions. SETTING: Interviews were conducted between July 2018 and February 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six BMSM and 13 non-grantee key informants who worked in the field of HIV in Mississippi participated. METHOD: The qualitative data from the interview transcripts was analyzed using an iterative, inductive coding process. RESULTS: We identified 10 key recommendations that were most common across all participants and that were aligned with UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy strategic priorities. Several recommendations address the reduction of HIV- and LGBT-stigma. Two of the most common recommendations were to increase representation of the target population in health promotion program leadership and to include HIV with other Black health issues in community-based health education programs rather than singling it out. Another recommendation called for programs aimed at addressing underlying factors associated with HIV-risk behaviors, such as mental illness. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HIV education interventions in the Deep South need to be revitalized to enhance their reach and effectiveness.

G-computation for policy-relevant effects of interventions on time-to-event outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Parametric g-computation is an analytic technique that can be used to estimate the effects of exposures, treatments and interventions; it relies on a different set of assumptions than more commonly used inverse probability weighted estimators. Whereas prior work has demonstrated implementations for binary exposures and continuous outcomes, use of parametric g-computation has been limited due to difficulty in implementation in more typical complex scenarios. METHODS: We provide an easy-to-implement algorithm for parametric g-computation in the setting of a dynamic baseline intervention of a baseline exposure and a time-to-event outcome. To demonstrate the use of our algorithm, we apply it to estimate the effects of interventions to reduce area deprivation on the cumulative incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia or trichomoniasis) among women living with HIV in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. RESULTS: We found that reducing area deprivation by a maximum of 1 tertile for all women would lead to a 2.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1%, 4.3%] reduction in 4-year STI incidence, and reducing deprivation by a maximum of 2 tertiles would lead to a 4.3% (95% CI: 1.9%, 6.4%) reduction. CONCLUSIONS: As analytic methods such as parametric g-computation become more accessible, epidemiologists will be able to estimate policy-relevant effects of interventions to better inform clinical and public health practice and policy.

The Association between Hypertension and Race/Ethnicity among Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE: Hypertension is a significant, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). African American women who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer have a significantly higher risk of premature death due to CVD. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hypertension and race/ethnicity among breast cancer survivors using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2014. METHODS: Non-Hispanic African American and non-Hispanic White women who were diagnosed with breast cancer were identified. Hypertension was defined as taking medication to treat hypertension, having a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140, or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for race/ethnicity, as it relates to hypertension controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 524 breast cancer survivors included in our study, 107 (20.4%) were African American and 417 (80.0%) were White. After adjusting for age, marital status, education, annual household income, health insurance, smoking and drinking status, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes, African American breast cancer survivors had a 30% higher prevalence of hypertension (PR = 1.30 [95% CI, 1.11-1.52]) than White breast cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that African American breast cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of CVD due to hypertension even after controlling for other comorbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

Leveraging Community Engagement: The Role of Community-Based Organizations in Reducing New HIV Infections Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men.

There is growing recognition that a singular focus on biomedical treatments is insufficient to address the HIV prevention and health-care needs of Black men who have sex with men (Black MSM). Ending the HIV epidemic requires a multifactorial approach accounting for the social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors that drive transmission of HIV and other STDs. The two case studies presented were implemented by community-based organizations that have extensive experience with the target population and previous experience implementing HIV prevention-related programs and projects in the Jackson, Mississippi, metropolitan area. Culturally appropriate HIV prevention interventions that explicitly acknowledge the social determinants of health, particularly stigma and discrimination, both racial and sexual, are critical to reducing the number of new infections. These culturally appropriate and locally derived HIV prevention interventions provide a model for HIV health-care providers, public health officials, and community leaders to address the unique needs of Black MSM.

Patient perspectives on primary care and oncology care coordination in the context of multiple chronic conditions: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Patients' views on the optimal model for care coordination between primary care providers (PCPs) and oncologists in the context of cancer and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) are unclear. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the perceptions of patients with both cancer and MCC regarding their care coordination needs. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, the literature was systematically searched through PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for articles pertaining to patients' perspectives, experiences, and needs regarding care coordination between PCPs and oncologists during the cancer care continuum, in the context of patients with cancer and MCC. English-language articles were included if they met the following criteria: 1) published between 2008 and 2018; 2) peer-reviewed study; 3) patients aged 18 years or older diagnosed with any type or stage of cancer; 4) patients have one or more chronic comorbid condition; 5) inclusion of patient perceptions, experiences, or needs related to care coordination between PCPs and oncologists; and 6) ability to extract results. Data extraction was performed with a standardized form, and themes were developed through qualitative synthesis. A grounded theory approach was used to qualitatively evaluate data extracted from articles and create a framework for providers to consider when developing patient-centered care coordination strategies for these complex patients. Risk of bias within each study was assessed independently by two authors using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: A total of 22 articles were retained, representing the perspectives of 8,114 patients with cancer and MCC. Studies were heterogeneous in the patients' respective phases of cancer care and study design. From qualitative synthesis, four themes emerged regarding patients' needs for cancer care coordination and were included as constructs to develop the Patient-centered Care Coordination among Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions and Cancer (PCP-MC) framework. Constructs included: 1) Communication; 2) Defining provider care roles; 3) Information access; and 4) Individualized patient care. Care navigators served as a communication bridge between providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance that patients with both cancer and MCC place on communication with and between providers, efficient access to understandable care information, defined provider care roles, and care tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Providers and policymakers may consider the developed PCP-MC framework when designing, implementing, and evaluating patient-centered care coordination strategies for patients with both cancer and MCC.

Effects of social injustice on breast health-seeking behaviors of low-income women.

PURPOSE: The study uses qualitative research to gain a better understanding of what occurs after low-income women receive an abnormal breast screening and the factors that influence their decisions and behavior. A heuristic model is presented for understanding this complexity. DESIGN: Qualitative research methods used to elicited social and cultural themes related to breast cancer screening follow-up. SETTING: Individual telephone interviews were conducted with 16 women with confirmed breast anomaly. PARTICIPANTS: Low-income women screened through a national breast cancer early detection program. METHOD: Grounded theory using selective coding was employed to elicit factors that influenced the understanding and follow-up of an abnormal breast screening result. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and uploaded into NVivo 8, a qualitative management and analysis software package. RESULTS: For women (16, or 72% of case management referrals) below 250% of the poverty level, the impact of social and economic inequities creates a psychosocial context underlined by structural and cultural barriers to treatment that forecasts the mechanism that generates differences in health outcomes. The absence of insurance due to underemployment and unemployment and inadequate public infrastructure intensified emotional stress impacting participants' health decisions. CONCLUSION: The findings that emerged offer explanations of how consistent patterns of social injustice impact treatment decisions in a high-risk vulnerable population that have implications for health promotion research and systems-level program improvement and development.

Working to close the gap: identifying predictors of HPV vaccine uptake among young African American women.

Factors associated with greater likelihood of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among women who experience excess cervical cancer incidence and mortality requires further study. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake among young African American women. Three hundred sixty-three African American women aged 18-26 were recruited from Historically Black Colleges/Universities to complete a questionnaire to assess health beliefs associated with HPV vaccination. One quarter of participants reported uptake of the HPV vaccine. Women who reported uptake had significantly higher HPV knowledge, lower perceived barriers to vaccination, and were younger (all p<.05). Factors significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake included HPV knowledge (OR=1.22), perceived severity of health outcomes (OR=0.48), perceived barriers to vaccination (OR=0.49), cues to action (OR=1.94), and age (OR=0.68). Findings can be used to inform the development of targeted HPV vaccine promotion programs for African American women to prevent continued cervical cancer disparities.